The story of al-Shafi'i and Shayban al-Ra'i.

The Shaykh : Al-Shafi'i mentioned the story of Tufayl with Shayban al-Ra'i. We [mention it] because Shayban al-Ra'i was one of the people of asceticism and following the Sufi path. So the Imam al-Shafi'i met him and the Imam wanted to test him, so he asked him about two matters. The Imam al-Shafi'i asked him: "What does one do if he forgets in the prayer?" Shayban al-Ra'i said: "Is it with us or with you?" He said to him: "Why is there 'with us' and 'with you'?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Bring forth 'with us' and bring forth 'with you'; what is the ruling?" He said: "With you, he prostrates two prostrations of forgetfulness and continues the situation." He said: "And with you?" He said: "He needs to have his head cut off." He said: "Okay, tell me when zakah becomes obligatory upon the Muslim." He said: "Is it with us or with you?" He said: "This also has 'with us' in it." He said: "Yes." He said: "Bring it forth and let us see." He said: "With you, it is when he possesses the nisab and a lunar year passes over it. But with us, he must give out all his wealth and not leave with him a lunar year, a month, or a week." So it appears that Shayban was influenced by such superstitions.

The questioner : ... except for an hour

The Shaykh : We hear the story of the boy

The questioner : ... about what he is learning

The Shaykh : What grade is he learning up to?

The questioner : He is now in his second obligatory year in every ... .

The Shaykh : And how was it in the past years?

The questioner : He was memorizing hadith only

The Shaykh : Meaning he makes it up to ... the prayer

The questioner : Friday only, there is no ... .

The Shaykh : No, knowledge is a gift and it is not hidden from you that among the principles of Islamic knowledge is this knowledge that is memorized in primary schools and then afterwards. As for what they call the master's and doctorate degrees and so on, these do not fatten nor satisfy from hunger except rarely. But these principles must be obtained so that when he takes a book, he is able to read it. So you are now more aware of your son than others. Is he able to read and understand? If so, your opinion is in its place. Otherwise, let him continue his studies until he reaches this level. Then after that, he must benefit others with it. Did you understand my opinion?